JPS6124400A - Receiver suspension and acoustic effect unit - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to the internal structure of hearing aids, and more particularly to receiver suspension and sound effects units for in-ear or "canal" hearing aids.

Prior Art Such hearing aids have a shell that retains the hearing aid components and that fits within the user's outer ear. The hearing aid component includes a receiver and an audio transmission line interconnecting the receiver and the shell. Other components of the hearing aid send electrical signals to the receiver, and the receiver responds by producing sound.

Sound is transmitted from the receiver to the user's ear canal and eardrum via the sound transmission path and shell.

Many of the currently available units for physically supporting the receiver within the hearing aid shell and for providing acoustic communication between the receiver and the outside of the hearing aid are specialized for "in-ear" or "in-canal" hearing aids. It is not well adapted to meet specific requirements. Since the hearing aid is placed within the outer ear, the shell must be small. ``Therefore, the components within the shell, including the receiver and audio transmission line, must be constructed as compactly as possible.

Of course, the receiver must be reliably accessible inside the hearing aid shell. However, the support unit may be repaired or replaced.
It must allow the receiver to be easily and quickly removed for replacement.

In order to ensure correct operation of the receiver, the support unit must allow close phase communication between the receiver and the audio transmission path. This allows almost all of the sound generated by the hearing aid to be transmitted to the sound transmission path and the user's eardrum, rather than being dispersed within the hearing aid itself.

Furthermore, the receiver is a typical piece of equipment that is delicate. The support unit should provide protection against shocks, such as those that occur when a hearing aid is accidentally dropped onto the floor.

The support arrangement must substantially isolate the receiver from the mechanical and acoustic feedbank so that the receiver does not transmit spurious, undesired audio distortions or vibrations to the hearing aid microphone. Such feedback can cause distortion in the sounds heard by hearing aid users. In extreme cases, such feedback can induce oscillations (unpleasant “squeaks” in the receiver).
al)”).

Furthermore, the support unit must be manufactured simply and inexpensively. °As a result, the consumer price of hearing aids will also be lower.

Problem to be Solved by the Invention It is an object of the invention to improve a receiver suspension and sound effects unit. Another challenge is to reduce the level of mechanical and acoustic feedback transmitted by the receiver in the receiver suspension and sound effects unit.

A further object is to make more advantageous use of the space available within the hearing aid shell and the sound transmission path in the receiver suspension and sound effects unit.

Another object is to provide a receiver suspension and sound effects unit that provides greater cushioning to the receiver and protects it from physical damage. Yet another object is to provide a receiver suspension and sound effects unit that allows the receiver to be more easily and quickly removed from the hearing aid. A further object is to provide a receiver suspension and sound effects unit that allows for closer interconnection between the receiver and the audio transmission path of the hearing aid.

Yet another object is to provide a receiver suspension and sound effects unit that more securely holds the receiver in place.

Yet another object is to provide a receiver suspension and sound effects unit that is easier and cheaper to manufacture.

Means for Solving the Problems The means of the present invention for solving the above problems are as follows:
and a flexible suspension member for retaining the receiver; the shell has a closed end, an open end, and a sidewall between the ends; defining an output port, and the closed end and the side wall defining an inner surface of the shell and an interior region of the shell adjacent the inner surface; the flexible suspension member being fabricated from a flexible material;
and fully adheres to the inner surface of the shell within the inner region of the shell and extends inwardly from this inner surface, further defining a receiver receiving recess for receiving the receiver and a longitudinally elongated output path. and an elongated output path extends between the receiver receiving recess and the output port of the shell, with one end of the output path being defined by a coupling member that locks and receives the acoustic output port of the receiver. The acoustic output port of the receiver is acoustically coupled to the output path.

In order to solve the above problems, a method for manufacturing a receiver suspension/acoustic effect unit according to the present invention includes manufacturing a mandrel having a main part and a vertically elongated protrusion extending from the main part;
Insert the mandrel inside the shell until the elongated protrusion protrudes from the output port of the shell and the main portion is seated inside the shell; pour the polymerizable liquid material into the ell; The elastomer polymerizes around the periphery to form a nidistomer, which forms the entire receiver receiving recess with the main part of the mandrel; and removing the mandrel from the shell through the open end of the shell.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A receiver suspension and sound effects unit according to the present invention includes a plurality of ribs extending into a receiver receiving recess. This rib increases the flexibility of the receiver suspension and sound effects unit according to the invention and further reduces vibration transmission.

A receiver suspension and sound effects unit for an exemplary hearing aid is indicated generally at 10. For ease of understanding, a typical canal type hearing aid 12 is shown in FIG.

The hearing aid 12 includes a shell 14 and a top plate 16 made of acrylic. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the shell 14 has a closed end 18, an open end 20 (to which the face plate 16 is attached), and a side wall 22 between the closed end 18 and the open end 20.
It has

Closed end 18 and sidewall 22 connect to inner surface 24 of shell 14;
An interior space 26 of the shell adjacent to this inner surface 24 is defined. Furthermore, as shown in FIG.
The closed end 18 of defines an output port 28. The output port 28 is cylindrical in shape, approximately 0.28 cm (0.11 inches) in diameter, and extends from the inner surface 24 of the shell 14 a distance of 30 degrees outside the hearing aid 12 .

The interior space 26 of the shell 14 accommodates most of the components of the hearing aid 12 (vents, microphone (not shown), receiver 34).
and a flexible suspension member 36 for the receiver (FIGS. 2 and 5). For clarity, only the vent 32, receiver 34 and flexible suspension member 36 are shown in FIG.

A vent 32 extends from the closed end 18 of the shell 14 and reaches the faceplate 16. The air pressure created in the user's ear canal by inserting the hearing aid 12 into the ear is therefore released through the vent 32. The vents 32 also modify the acoustic response of the hearing aid 12.

As seen in FIG. 5, receiver 34 includes a first end wall 38, a second end wall 40, and four side walls 42 between the end walls. The first end wall 38 and the second end wall 40 are approximately 0-635
cm (0,250 inches) apart. First end wall 3
8 has a cylindrical acoustic output port 44 that projects approximately 0.060 inches from receiver 34. The acoustic output port 44 has a diameter of approximately 0.1
It has 39 cm (0,055 inches).

The flexible suspension member 36 within the shell 14 of the hearing aid 12 is made of an elastomeric material, such as cold vulcanized silicone rubber ("RTV").
” ). For example, General Electric Company (General Electric Company)
Company) and Dow Corning Corporation
It has been found that RTV manufactured by RA, TJ, ON) is sufficiently superior when used in the present invention.

The RTV is attached to the inner surface 24 of the shell 14 and extends inwardly. However, within the shell 14, the flexible suspension member 36 has a receiver receiving recess 46 for receiving the receiver 34, and six ribs 4 extending into the receiver receiving recess 4G.
B, 50° 52.54, 56.58, forming a vertically elongated audio transmission path 60 (FIGS. 5 and 3).

As can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 3, the receiver receiving recess 46 has four substantially closed sides 62.64°, 66.68°, and
It consists of a closed end 72 and an open end 70. The two opposing sides 62.64 are approximately 0.355
cm (0,140 inches) apart. The other two opposite sides 66.68 are about 0-482 cm (
0,190 inches) apart.

The open end 70 of the receiver receiving recess 46 is located closer to the open end 20 of the shell 14 than the generally closed end 72. Open end 70 is thus capable of receiving receiver 34 when it is inserted into shell 14 .

A generally closed end 72 of receiver receiving recess 46 is located closer to closed end 18 of shell 14 than open end 70 . The open end 70 and the substantially closed end 72 are approximately 0.508 cm (0.2 inches) to 0.762 cm (0.2 in.)
Cm (0.3 inches) apart.

Each of the six ribs has edges 74.76, 78.80°82.
It has 84. Furthermore, Rizo 48.50°52.54,
Since ribs 56 and 58 are substantially the same, ribs 48 will be used as an example to explain the ribs.

The ribs 48 are extensions of other parts of the RTV that form the flexible suspension member 36 within the gel 14;
Approximately 0.025. cm (0,01
0 inches) extends into receiver receiving recess 46. rib 4
8 has two generally planar sides 86.88 which intersect at edge 74 at an angle of approximately 45° to each other. As you can see from Figure 3')! 4B is the closed side 6 of the receiver receiving recess 46;
It extends along 2.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the ribs 52, 58 are located approximately centrally on each of the closed sides 66, 68. Each edge 74, 76.80 of rib 48, 50, 54.56
．． 82 is about [ ], 134 from the closed side 66.68
It is located at Cm' (mouth, 056 inches).

An elongate audio transmission line 60 extends from the generally closed end 72 of the receiver recess 46 to the output port 28 of the shell 14. The audio transmission path 60 connects the receiver receiving recess 46 and the hearing aid 1.
A center line 90 is defined between the two output ports 28. Centerline 90 is located exactly in the middle of audio transmission path 60 and is shown as a straight line in the preferred embodiment. A cross section (not shown) of the audio transmission path 60 is perpendicular to the centerline 90 and has a predetermined circular shape. The diameter of this circular shape is approximately 0.127 cm (0.050 inches).

Receiver body 34 can be inserted into receiver receiving recess 46 as shown in FIG.

The sidewall 42 of the receiver 34 defines a shape substantially identical to that defined by the edges 74-84 of the six ribs 48-58 extending into the receiver receiving recess 46. Audio transmission line 60 when fully inserted into receiver receiving recess 46
grips the acoustic output port 44 of the receiver 34.

The diameter of the audio output port 44 is slightly larger than the diameter of the audio transmission line 60 so that the audio transmission line 60 widens slightly to receive the audio output port 44. As a result, the audio transmission path 6
0 tightly wraps the acoustic output port 44 to help ensure that sound emitted through the acoustic output port 44 is not dispersed within the hearing aid. rather receiver 3
Almost all of the sound generated from the acoustic output port 44 of No. 4 is transmitted through the audio transmission path 60 and the output ports 1 and 2 of the hearing aid 12.
8 to the user's auditory canal and eardrum (not shown).

Furthermore, the ribs 48=58 support the receiver 34 and have a cushioning effect. When the hearing aid 12 is subjected to a shock, the receiver 34 is pressed against the flexible suspension member 36, and the flexible suspension member 36 deforms to prevent damage to the receiver 34. When the impact ceases, the flexible suspension member 36 substantially resumes its previous shape and returns the receiver 34 to its previous position within the gel 14.

Ribs 48-58 constitute a highly flexible suspension member for receiver 34. Furthermore, the acoustic output port 4 of the receiver 34
A safe space 91 is provided around the audio transmission line 60, adjacent to the audio transmission line 60, to increase flexibility in this area. As a result, the flexible suspension member 36 acts as a sufficient vibration isolator to prevent vibrations caused by the driven receiver 34 from being transmitted as unwanted feedback to the hearing aid microphone.

Such feedback may cause signal disturbances or oscillations.

Since the audio transmission line 60 locks the acoustic output port 44 and the ribs 48-58 lock the side wall 42 of the receiver 34,
The flexible suspension member 36 is elastic. That is, the receiver 34
can be pulled out from the receiver receiving recess 46 even after insertion.

The receiver suspension/acoustic effect unit 10 can be easily and inexpensively manufactured. In this preferred embodiment, a mandrel 92 and support block 94 are fabricated (FIG. 4). Both mandrel 92 and support block 94 are made of polyethylene and are manufactured by injection molding. Mandrel 92 has a main portion 96 and a cylindrical longitudinal projection 98 extending from the main portion.

The main portion 96 of the mandrel 92 is located in the receiver receiving recess 4 described above.
It has almost the same shape as 6.

Furthermore, the main portion 96 has an upper flange 100. The upper flange 100 has a diameter of 0.086 cm (0.05 cm).
4 inch) hole 102 is formed, and the wire rod 10
4 is passed through this hole 102.

The elongated projection 98 of the mandrel 92 has an upper region 106 and a lower region 108. Upper range 1 of protrusion 98
06 directly follows the main portion 96 and has a diameter of approximately 0.1
It has 27 cm (0,050 inches). The lower region 108 directly follows the upper region 106 at one end and has a tapered end 110 at the other end. The lower region 108 has a diameter of approximately 0.1 cm (0.1 cm), except for the tapered end 110, which is approximately 0.177 cm (0.0 finch) long.
It has 11 cm (0,044 inches). The junction of the relatively large diameter upper region 106 and the relatively small diameter lower region 108 of the projection 98 constitutes a shoulder 112 .

The support block 94 has a generally cylindrical shape and includes an upper region 114, a lower region 116, a longitudinal axis 118, and a central hole 120.
It consists of (Figure 4). The lower range 116 has an outer diameter of approximately 0
．． It has a length of 355 cm (0,140 inches). The upper region 114 of the sea urchin is slightly tapered and has an average outer diameter of about 0.274 cm (1
08 inches).

The junction of the relatively large diameter lower region 116 and the relatively small diameter upper region 114 constitutes a shoulder 122 .

The center hole 120 has a diameter of approximately 0.116 cm (0.046 cm).
inches) and extends along longitudinal axis 118. The central hole 120 traverses both the upper region 114 and the lower region 116 of the support block 94 .

As shown in FIG. 5, the mandrel 92 formed while holding the wire 104 is
Let it descend inside. First, the vertically long protrusion 98 is the shell 1.
4 and then the main portion 96 of the mandrel 92.

The tapered end 110 is then inserted into the output port 28 of the hearing aid 12 and the protrusion 98 is guided within the output port so that the mandrel 92 is submerged into the shell 14.

The center hole 120 of the support block 94 is then placed around the protrusion 98 . The support block is then pushed into the shell 14 until the shoulder 122 of the support block 94 abuts the shell 14, as shown in FIG.

The mandrel 92 is further submerged until the debris 112 between the upper region 106 and the lower region 108 of the projection 98 abuts the upper region 114 of the support block 94 . mandrel 92
Once in position, liquid RTV is poured into shell 14 around main portion 96 and upper region 106 of mandrel 92 . In this condition, the main portion 96 of the mandrel 92 is embedded in the RTV to a depth of approximately 0.2 inches to a loaf of 0.3 inches.

The RTV vulcanizes and changes from a liquid to an elastic solid. This process occurs when the RTV is left at room temperature.

However, raise the RTV to approximately 150°F (66°C) (~
It has been found that placing the vulcanization process in an oven (not shown) at a controlled temperature allows the vulcanization process to be completed more quickly, in 2.6 hours. P, , TV form the receiver receiving recess 46 and the audio transmission path 60 at the main portion 96 and protrusion 98 of the mandrel 92, respectively.

After the vulcanization process is completed, the mandrel 92 is removed from the shell 14 by pulling the wire 104.

Support block 94 can then also be pulled away from shell 14.

When the mandrel 92 is removed from the shell 14, the receiver 34
6, the support block 94 can be inserted into the hearing aid 14 when the TV is connected to the output port 28 of the hearing aid 12.
It is noted that this is sufficient to prevent the intrusion into the . That is, the output port 28 remains substantially empty so that devices can be inserted into the output port 28 to prevent, for example, wax (not shown) from entering the audio transmission line 60 or the receiver 34. . Such a device is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent Application No. 58445I (February 1984).
Filed on April 29th, Bratz (R'j, Chard Bra
nder), Stanton (MarkF, 5tarl
t, on), “Wax Guard System (Wax
Guard System)”).

Excellent embodiments of the present invention have been described by way of example.

However, it will be understood that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention.

The true scope and scope of the invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents, which should be interpreted within this specification.

Effects of the Invention By configuring the receiver suspension/acoustic effect unit used in a hearing aid as in the present invention, the receiver is supported by the flexible material with a cushioning effect, and the shell is substantially free from vibration. is blocked.

Further, by the method of manufacturing a receiver suspension and sound effect unit according to the present invention, the receiver suspension and sound effect unit can be easily and inexpensively manufactured. Moreover, the receiver is inserted into a receiver receiving recess made of an elastic molding material, and the sound output port of the receiver is gripped by the sound transmission line of the shell.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical hearing aid employing an excellent embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an excellent embodiment of the receiver suspension and acoustic effect unit of the present invention used in the hearing aid of FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken approximately along the line 5-6 in FIG. 2,
Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the receiver receiving recess and the audio transmission path when the mandrel is inserted into the shell, taken approximately along the line 4-4 in Figure 3, and Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the receiver receiving recess and the audio transmission path taken approximately along the line 4-4 in Figure 3. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the receiver receiving recess and the audio transmission path and the receiver, taken approximately along the line 5-5; FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken approximately along the line 6-6 of FIG. 2; . , 10...Receiver suspension and sound effect unit...Hearing aid,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14... Shell, 16... Surface plate, 18... Closed end, 20... Open end, 22 - Side wall, 24... Inner surface, 26... Internal space, 28 Output port, 30... Range ,
32... Ventilation hole, 34... Receiver, 36 Flexible suspension part A, 38.40... End wall, 42... Side wall, 44...
Acoustic output port, 46...receiver receiving baud], 48
, 50, 52, 54, 56° 58... rib, 60... audio transmission path, 62, 64° 66.68... side, 70.
72... End, 74° 76.78, 80, 82.84
... Edge, 86° 88 ... Side, 90 ... Center line, 91 ... Safety space, 92 ... Mandrel, 94
... Support block, 96 ... Main part, 98 ... Projection part, 100 - Upper flange, 102 ... Hole, 104
・・Wire rod, 106・Upper range, 108・・Lower range,
110・Tapered end portion, 112・・Shoulder, 114・・Upper range, 116・・Lower range, 118 Vertical axis line, 120
- Central hole, 122 shoulders. 3+ Small Gu Z 3b each Flexible I 47 Squeezed J Bu〆Otaku? I1; Fang i≧(?Me;-L Gufuri92)
, Hi 1.1

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A receiver having a configuration including two end walls and a side wall between these end walls, and one end wall of the receiver having an acoustic output port. A receiver suspension and acoustic effects unit for a hearing aid, comprising a combination of an outer shell and a flexible suspension member for holding the receiver;
the shell has a closed end, an open end and a sidewall between the ends, the closed end defining an output port;
and the closed end and the side wall define an inner surface of the shell and an interior region of the shell adjacent to the interior surface; the flexible suspension member is made of a flexible material and sufficiently adhered to the inner surface and extending inwardly from the inner surface to define a receiver receiving recess for receiving the receiver and a vertically elongated output path; extending between the receiver receiving recess and the output port of the shell, one end of the output path forming a coupling member that locks and receives the acoustic output port of the receiver;
A receiver suspension/acoustic effect unit characterized in that the acoustic output port of the receiver is acoustically coupled to the output path by the coupling member. 2. A plurality of ribs extending into the receiver receiving recess are provided to support the side walls of the receiver, so that the receiver is damped by the flexible suspension member and is sufficiently acoustically isolated from the shell. 2. A receiver suspension and sound effects unit according to claim 1, wherein the receiver suspension and sound effects unit is adapted to be electrically isolated. 3. Use in a hearing aid comprising a receiver having two end walls and a side wall between the end walls, one end wall of the receiver having an acoustic output port; A receiver suspension and sound effects unit comprising an outer shell and a flexible suspension member for retaining the receiver; the shell has a closed end, an open end, and a a side wall, the closed end defining an output port, and the closed end and the side wall defining an inner surface of the shell and an interior region of the shell adjacent the inner surface; a flexible suspension; a member made of a flexible material and within an interior region of the shell, substantially adhering to and extending inwardly from the interior surface of the shell, and having a receiver receptacle for receiving the receiver; It constitutes a recess and a vertically elongated output path;
and an elongated output path extends between the receiver receiving recess and the output port of the shell, one end of the output path forming a coupling member that locks and receives the acoustic output port of the receiver. a main part; a mandrel having a longitudinal protrusion extending from the shell; the mandrel is inserted into the shell until the longitudinal protrusion protrudes from the output port of the shell and the main portion is contained within the shell; A liquid material is poured into the shell; the liquid material is polymerized around the mandrel to form an elastomer that forms a receiver receiving recess at the main portion of the mandrel and a receiver at the elongated protrusion of the mandrel. forming an output path extending between a receiver receiving recess and an output port of the shell; the mandrel being removed from the shell through an open end of the shell; Manufacturing method. 4. The step of inserting the support block into the support block along the longitudinal protrusion so that the polymerizable liquid material is firmly held inside the shell, according to claim 3. the method of. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the support block has a shoulder and the support block is inserted into the output port until the shoulder of the support block rests against the shell. 6. It has the step of removing the support block from the output port, and in this way the output port and the elastomer are connected.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising a chamber for holding a device for preventing wax from entering the output path of the shell and the receiver. 7. The main part of the mandrel has a plurality of vertical slits for forming ribs that protrude into the receiver receiving recess, and in this way, when the receiver is inserted, the receiver is inserted into the receiver receiving recess. The ribs are adapted to support the receiver,
A method according to any one of claims 3 to 5.